Annette Beyer speaks about her husband

Annette et son fils, René

Annette Beyer's memories of the man behind the watch collector.
Annette Beyer, who Theodor married in 1961, remembers particularly one of the auction sales they attended: "All the collectors were after a rare Renaissance time-piece. Mr Mainheimer, an important businessman in the world of horology, came up to me. I was a very young married woman at the time. He offered me Sfr 2000 to prevent Theodor from outbidding him. In those days you could have a magnificent holiday for such a sum, and that's just what we did. But Theodor spent all our time on holiday moping!"
Annette Beyer's husband was one of those passionate enthusiasts who carry their love of horology with them wherever they went. One memory led to another and other vacations came to mind. On their trips they were often accompanied by other collectors. With a wry smile she went on to relate how in Moscow, Toulouse and in Switzerland, the conversation inevitably returned to the subject of watches and to the fact that most of their outings were to watch museums.
Her stories may give the impression that Theodor Beyer had little time for anything that interested his wife, but this was far from the case. He gave her considerable assistance in building up her own very valuable collection of dolls. About ten years ago, they were shown an extremely rare doll that had been found in a junk room. It was capable of writing, but was in poor condition and was to be auctioned two weeks later in London. As she was leaving for the sale, he said, "Whatever happens, on no account return home without it!" It was her husband's encouragement that enabled her to make the winning bid.
Whenever possible, Theodor Beyer shared a love for classical music with his wife. She told me that he was particularly fond of Beethoven and Brahms. "We
had annual subscriptions to Zurich Opera House for fifteen years." They were always on time for the First Nights. Punctuality was a quality in his wife that the watch collector particularly appreciated.

Myriam Kridi